BALLON: A Short Film #kickstarter

A ballerina caught in the cycle of partying and cocaine-fueled rehearsals must confront her addiction when she crumbles at an audition.

THE FILM

Ballon allows the audience a glimpse into Marin’s chaotic cycle of partying and professionalism, spanning a 24 hour period. Striving for perfection but caught in a self-destructive pattern of habits, she feels that her life can only operate in a heightened mode. When we meet Marin, cocaine is the center of her universe — the thing that gets her through all-day rehearsals and all-night benders. And it’s killing her. Marin uses the drug as a driving force through her day, until she reaches a breaking point during the audition of a lifetime. Marin’s ballet company is filled with young women who have admired Marin for years, so her embarrissing crash resonates with the group. Only Emily, a fresh-faced dancer new to this world, has the courage to confront Marin and offer her a lifeline. Marin must decide if she’s ready to be honest and look at what her life has become. Making a change will mean leaving behind the life — and the dream — that she knows.

In this heavily stylistic film, you’ll be swept into the emotional world of the dance floor, both in a nightclub and within a ballet company’s walls. The juxtaposition of the music and ambiance of the two spaces will visually stimulate the audience, and allow you to live in the moment with Marin.

Ballon will be entertaining, emotionally engaging, and a piece that sheds light on the dangers of demanding too much of oneself. Inspired by her own observations in the dance world, director Alexis O. Korycinski brought the idea to writer Julia Cox who immediately responded to the concept and penned the piece. Together, they bring you the journey of one broken woman’s path to self-examination. The creative and production team has backgrounds in film, theatre, and dance, and Ballon is a labor of love they are proud to share.

Did we mention there’s an underwater dance sequence?!

Relevé (Here’s Where You Come In)

Whether you are a dancer, dance enthusiast, or someone who’s eyes get a bit wider after seeing an eloquent dance, WE WANT YOU! We welcome each and every one of you to the Ballon Family with open arms! We are creating a community eager to make a change. A change for self-awareness. A change within the dance community. A change for young people demanding beyond their means.

Your support on this project will help us build Marin’s chaotic world.

Check out our Rewards section for our rad kickbacks!!

REWARD EXAMPLES:

Private Instagram Access:

For $10 you will have access to the private Instagram where you will see photos from the cast and crew.

HEADSHOTS:

For $500 (only 20 available) you will receive a private headshot session (does not include hair and makeup) in Los Angeles with the director. This must be redeemed within one year, and you’ll need to provide your own travel to Los Angeles and accommodations once you’re here. Please see examples below.

Original artwork:

Thaddeus T. Chapman will paint original paintings inspired by Ballon for the $5000 and $10,000 Rewards. Please see examples of his work below.

Thaddeus T Chapman has been a professional painter based in Central New York since 2000. In 2012, he relocated to the Central Coast of California.

His paintings are created using gouache on rice paper—a technique that utilizes layers of the heavier, more opaque water-based paint on thin rice paper creating works with greater reflective qualities. “I use the techniques of abstract expressionism and apply them to my figurative work” says Thaddeus, who describes his style as figurative abstraction. Chapman utilizes reference photos of his subjects, which he uses to develop drawings. Although he considers himself a portrait painter, his works vary from landscapes to abstracts and nudes. For more examples please visit his website:http://thaddeustchapman.com

Where Will The Money Go?

Every penny will go directly towards Ballon! We’ve got some work to do! Your support will lend itself towards –

costumes

hair & makeup (we have to get Shelby to look like a druggie!)

set

location fees & permits (because we want to do good by LA)

top notch filming equipment

food for cast & crew (“Please, sir, can I have some more?” Of course you can because we have plenty of food thanks to our donors!)

underwater gear (oh yeah — here’s our underwater scene plug again)

editing

paying for all of the fantastic kickbacks you’ll be receiving shortly!